Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera
I just wonder how even one of those stations can ever change to any other form of fuel. It would take a large power plant to make enough electricity to charge 100 or more cars at once. Then add in the tons of 18 wheel trucks. Just mind boggling.
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When I did fleet work for a major shipping company, I was subconsciously perplexed by both the technology and the practices.
1). Why aren't trailers self-propelled using regenerative electric?
Start-stop. Huge masses.
Over and over.
That is where the major loading occurs, parts wear out, and fuel consumption is being used for the local delivery semis dealing with city traffic congestion.
Local service designs should be the opposite of long haul designs.
2). The trailer connection-pins are only about 5" iirc for taking the whole load shift forward and aft. The entire weight of the trailer plate sits on the tractor's 5th wheel and constantly rotates with every turn of the truck. That is a major friction wear point, Nobody in the shop was instructed through practice or policy to scrape off crusty dry grease and replace with fresh grease, and hardly anyone did it. There must be a better system to making this connection without losing grease off the sides of the road.
3). Overland tractor-trailers are still being built as square boxes despite spending much of their time at 60-80mph highway speeds.
Simple alterations could improve fuel efficiency 10-50%.
There are side skirts and a few have "trailer-tails" but those are weak band-aids.